NCCE LAUNCHES NEW GENDER POLICY

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a gender policy. The document is titled, “Gender Mainstreaming for Effective Delivery of Civic Education”.

The policy, which has a four-year implementation plan (2022-2025), was established by relevant documentation such as the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the National Gender Policy Framework, and the Domestic Violence Act. This is to ensure that gender is factored into the daily operations of the Commission, and consequently, the nation as a whole; and that the needs of both men and women are catered for, especially the vulnerable in society.

Chairman of NCCE, Ms. Kathleen Addy; the Deputy Chairperson in charge of Operations, Mr. Samuel Asare Akuamoah; representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, ABANTU, Affirmative Action Bill Coalition, Traditional and Religious leaders, the media and staff from the NCCE were amongst the people present at the launch.

Ms. Kathleen Addy, in her opening remarks, cleared the misconstrued perception about gender equality. She said, “expressions like gender equality, gender parity, and women’s right, gender mainstreaming, women’s empowerment, make a lot of people needlessly uncomfortable because people automatically assume these expressions indicate or suggest usurping or replacement, or some sort of existential struggle”. She elaborated that balancing the scale of opportunities for both men and women is key to realizing our full potential as a people. In advancing this new course, Ms. Addy emphasized the NCCE’s objective to train its staff and provide them with the necessary logistics to ensure that civic education is carried out in a gender-sensitive manner for all Ghanaians. She then commended the Director of the Gender and Research Department, Dr. Mrs. Henrietta Yemidi, and her team for achieving such a milestone.

Dr. Angela Lusigi, the Resident Representative of UNDP, a partner of this project said the policy is crucial for holistic development. She stated, “If you don’t balance the equation, you won’t find the solution”. She detailed the representation of women in governance and the need for both men and women to change their mindsets and fully participate in the decision-making process. This, she said, would be achieved effectively through civic education. Dr. Lusigi then tasked all present to work hand in hand to realize an inclusive society for sustainable development.

Mr. Ephraim Tetteh Kwablah from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection highlighted the involvement of men at all phases of the implementation to create a safer space for all sexes. He then assured the Commission of their support and collaboration on such projects in the future.

Dr. Henreitta Yemidi, the Director of Research, Gender, and Equality of the NCCE gave a comprehensive presentation on the policy document outlining the processes and action plan at the district, regional and national levels to realize the implementation and evaluation of the Project.

Dr. Rose Mensah-Kutin, the Executive Director of ABANTU for development launched the Policy and encouraged stakeholder partnerships in gender mainstreaming.

Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations at NCCE, Mr. Samuel Asare Akuamoah elaborated on the roles of men, especially husbands and family heads in supporting women to achieve their full potentials, rising through the ranks to make a difference. He urged all to channel their effort into breaking stereotypes to promote national development.

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